Reagan: But I also like the sexy stuff… FYI.
Reagan: OMG. Okay. That sounded way worse than I meant it to… Are you sure you want to date me? I’m awkward and tend to say the first thing that comes to mind no matter how ridiculous. Oh, and I talk to myself. So, yeah, I’m a catch.
Chase: You’re the ultimate catch, Reagan. Yes, I still want to.
Suddenly he was seized with inspiration.She thinks I’m sexy… might as well capitalize on that.
He turned on his phone camera and snapped a selfie of himself lying on his couch. He hit send with a simple caption.
Chase: Wish I was there, Red. Then I could show you how sexy I think your awkward is.
Reagan: That’s not fair.
Chase: I never said I play fair, beautiful. I play for keeps.
With a groan, Chase fell back against the cushion and ran his hand through his hair. What was it about Reagan that brought out every sentimental cell in his body? All he wanted to do was shower her with compliments and affection, to open her eyes to how incredible she was. He let his attention wander from their text conversation to their upcoming date. Even though they had yet to confirm a day, or make any solid plans, he instinctively knew that if he pushed too fast, she would run away. So, for tonight, flirty texts would be all he would get.
He stood up from the couch and took his phone with him into the kitchen to grab a beer. Chase seldom drank, but when he did it was always a bottle of craft beer that Jake brought in for him to purchase at cost. He cracked open the bottle, took a long drink, then looked back to his phone.
Reagan: Stop with the swoony lines already. I already agreed to a date.
With a grin, Chase took another drink then tapped out his reply.
Chase: So I make you swoon, do I?
Reagan: *eye roll* yeah, don’t let it go to your head.
Chase: Too late. Now I know you think I’m sexy AND swoony.
Reagan: Oh god. Remember what I said about cocky?
Chase: Remember what I said about confident…
Reagan: Fine.
Reagan: Look, as fun as this has been (seriously…) I need to get ready for work tomorrow.
Chase: Goodnight, Red. Thanks for chatting with me. Sleep well, beautiful
Reagan: Night, Chase.
Once he closed the text window, Chase wandered through his apartment, beer in hand. Flirting with Reagan, even over text, came so naturally. How had he managed to hold back and avoid talking with her for the last several months? More importantly, why had he?Because none of them know the real you…He snorted at that thought. Hell, did he even know who he really was? Chase Thomas, bad-boy drummer, or Chase McCormick, private and laid-back guitarist. In the depths of his mind he wondered, could Reagan be the one to help him find himself again?
Chapter 6
Reagan left straight from work on Friday night to drive up to Seattle to visit Simon and Daniel. There had been little to no time to think about Chase, or their date, as she was so busy getting caught up in tasks at work after taking two days off at the beginning of the week. Thankfully, Harris had left her alone, but she hadn’t found time to talk to Lucy.
“That’s next week Reagan’s problem…” she said to herself. Talking to herself had always been her goofy habit. Whenever Callie would tease her about it, Reagan would just say that her inner monologue needed to have a voice.
When she pulled up in the driveway of Simon and Daniel’s adorable little house, Reagan climbed out and stretched. The front door opened, and Daniel came jogging down the path, Simon following more sedately behind.
“Ola, chica! I am SO happy you’re here, baby girl.” Daniel’s exuberance brought an instant smile to Reagan’s face, as did the hug he enveloped her in.
“I’m glad I could come this weekend. I needed some time away.”
“Is everything okay, sis?” Simon’s concerned voice proved that their sibling connection was as strong as ever, as he immediately homed in on her preoccupied state.
“Everything is fine, I promise. There’s just a lot on my mind is all,” she quickly reassured him.
